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Today marks 116 years since the very first Ford Model T rolled off the production line in America. To begin with, this car was the very first mass-produced product ever to roll off an assembly line. In 1918, half of all cars in the world were Ford Model Ts. To this day, only one model, the Volkswagen Beetle, has produced a larger number of cars. Both companies still exist and remain among the few truly major brands in the automotive industry.
OK, but what does this have to do with Robust-MT Marine Technology?
“I will build a motor car for the great multitude. It will be large enough for the family, but small enough for the individual to run and care for. It will be constructed of the best materials, by the best men to be hired, after the simplest designs that modern engineering can devise. But it will be so low in price that no man making a good salary will be unable to own one – and enjoy with his family the blessing of hours of pleasure in God's great open spaces.”
Henry Ford
This exact ambition underlies the development of our boats, and our Robbie in particular. We're not happy with just another superyacht. We're not happy with appearances, maintenance, or the fear of causing damage. We're happy when we can enjoy the water in peace and quiet, without a care in the world. We're even happier when we see others enjoying their water thanks to our products, especially when they're people who might not normally be able to afford it.
We wanted to create an electric boat, just like the Ford Model T, for everyone. A boat large enough for a family of five, yet small enough to be easily manageable. It had to be made of durable, strong, and maintenance-free materials. We also wanted the boat to be built to the highest possible standards. Design is secondary to function, and the price had to be affordable for anyone on a normal income.
Furthermore, we believe that the upper market segment is necessary for developing innovations, but that the lower market segment is essential for those innovations to make a difference. Without Volkswagen, with the Beetle at the forefront, there would be no Lamborghini, no Porsche, no Bugatti, and no Bentley. None of the latter brands truly contribute to sustainability. Volkswagen, on the other hand, has the volume to make a difference.
“Any customer can have a car painted any color that he wants so long as it is black.”
Henry Ford
The reality of the Ford Model T is that, upon its introduction, it wasn't available in black. However, everything was geared towards maximum efficiency, production control, and price reduction. Over time, it turned out that black paint was the cheapest and dries fastest, so from that point on, the Ford Model T was only available in black.
A similar consideration applies to our Robbie. Our HDPE is made from either new or recycled sheets of virgin material. While this can be supplied in any conceivable color, it requires a significant volume of purchased materials. Black is a standard sheet material, readily available, UV-stable, colorfast, and proven for long-term use in the toughest conditions. If we want to keep Robbie affordable for individual orders, black HDPE is the material of choice. However, just like the Ford Model T, the boat is available in any color, as long as the hull is black. We can offer endless variations with the cushions and lettering.
For starters, Robbie made of HDPE, not metal. Our material is infinitely recyclable and, theoretically, has an infinite shelf life. This means that, just like the Ford Model T, we might still see Robbie
Robbie is electrically powered, just like all our boats. Not because we believe it's necessary in light of global electrification and global climate goals, but for two simple reasons:
15 million Ford Model Ts were built, and at one time, half of all cars in the world were Ford Model Ts. Robbie is even more modest, but the ambition is the same.
If, in 116 years, people say that Robust-MT Marine Technology BV has done for water sports, and especially water quality, what Ford did for mobility and production techniques, then we will have done well.
Henry Ford, thanks for the inspiration!
